LPG shortage hits operation of gas crematoria in Kozhikode, Kasaragod

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortage caused by the war in West Asia is pulling the plug on gas-based crematoria in Kerala, with at least a few such in Kasaragod and Kozhikode districts facing operational hiccups.

The Kozhikode Corporation authorities have said that cremation will have to be decentralised using traditional methods if the required stock of LPG is not available by March 13. Just one cremation was held at the Corporation-run Smrithipadham crematorium, near Mavoor Road, on Thursday (March 12, 2026), owing to the shortage of LPG. Bookings weren’t accepted at the West Hill crematorium either, citing LPG non-availability, forcing service-seekers to scout for traditional cremation service elsewhere.  

“We cremate at least 95 bodies a month at Smrithipadham, but will not be able to extend the service as usual in the current situation. We cannot accept bookings without ensuring sufficient storage of LPG cylinders in advance,” said Satheesh Babu, Health Inspector, Kozhikode Corporation. He said the Corporation authorities made all possible interventions to address the concerns by Friday. Smrithipadham has four furnaces, each connected to 12 cylinders. This means at any point of time, 48 cylinders are needed.

Deputy Mayor S. Jayasree said on Thursday that the Corporation Secretary had submitted a request to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) authorities to consider cremation as an essential service and to address the shortage at the earliest. 

An employee at the gas crematorium said a few additional cylinders had been arranged by Thursday evening to conduct the already booked cremations on Friday. 

A senior Revenue department official said the issue had been taken up for immediate resolution.

Statewide issue

“As the shortage has hit the operation of several such facilities across the State, the State government is also keen on addressing it with the support of the main suppliers,” he said. 

The gas-based crematorium in the Kadumeni ward in East Eleri grama panchayat in Kasaragod, too, faced trouble due to LPG shortage. The crematorium operations were disrupted on Wednesday after the local distributor in Cherupuzha declined to supply cylinders, citing restrictions linked to the Centre’s directive to prioritise domestic LPG distribution. But the service resumed after the panchayat authorities approached the regional office of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in Kozhikode seeking urgent intervention. Following the directive from the IOC office, the required cylinders were supplied on Thursday, restoring the crematorium’s operation. 

Joseph Mutholi, vice-president of the East Eleri grama panchayat, told The Hindu that the crematorium served residents of Balal, East Eleri and West Eleri grama panchayats and Cherupuzha. He said for many residents in the region, the Kadumeni crematorium was the only practical option.

“While Muslim and Christian families generally bury their dead and some affluent Hindu families conduct cremations on private property, those belonging to the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities and economically weaker sections are dependent largely on the panchayat crematorium,” he said. 

Mr. Mutholi said the crematorium operated fully on LPG and used six cylinders at a time, with at least three requiring refilling every week.